Elizabeth Strout Reading Order
5 series · 137 books · Born 1956
Elizabeth Strout is an American literary fiction writer known for her psychologically nuanced explorations of small-town life and complicated relationships. Her breakthrough novel Amy and Isabelle earned major literary awards including the Los Angeles Times First Fiction Award, and she won the Pulitzer Prize in 2009 for Olive Kitteridge, which spawned a acclaimed series following interconnected characters in a Maine coastal community. Her work combines the introspection of literary fiction with the narrative drive of contemporary storytelling, appealing to readers who appreciate character-driven narratives grounded in authentic human experience.
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Akashic Noir Series
Ongoing121 books (2002–2025)
The Akashic Noir series is an ongoing collection of 121 mystery and literary fiction anthologies that began in 2002 and continues through 2025. Each book focuses on a different city, from San Francisco to Detroit and beyond, offering noir-themed stories set in distinctive urban locations. The series should be read in publication order, starting with San Francisco Noir, to experience how the collection has evolved across more than two decades and over a hundred volumes. This extensive anthology series combines thriller elements with literary quality, providing readers with a diverse exploration of noir fiction across American and international cities.
Start with San Francisco Noir, the first of 121 books in the Akashic Noir series.
Start this series with San Francisco Noir
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Amgash Series
Ongoing5 books (2016–2024)
Elizabeth Strout's Amgash series comprises five literary mysteries published between 2016 and 2024, with the sequence still ongoing. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with My Name Is Lucy Barton and continuing through Anything Is Possible, Oh William!, Lucy by the Sea, and Tell Me Everything. This interconnected collection of novels explores the lives and relationships of residents in a small Illinois town, weaving together stories of personal struggle, redemption, and human connection across multiple perspectives and time periods.
Start with My Name Is Lucy Barton, the first of 5 books in the Amgash series.
Start this series with My Name Is Lucy Barton
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleAnthologies Series
Complete5 books (2010–2020)
Elizabeth Strout contributed stories to three literary anthologies published between 2010 and 2013. This complete collection should be read in publication order, beginning with Ploughshares at Emerson College Vol. 36, No. 1 from Spring 2010, followed by The Best American Short Stories 2013 and The Stories of Frederick Busch. These anthologies represent selections of her short fiction during the early 2010s.
Start with Ploughshares at Emerson College Vol. 36, No. 1, Spr. 2010 and read in order.
Start this series with Ploughshares at Emerson College Vol. 36, No. 1, Spr. 2010
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleOlive Kitteridge Series
Complete2 books (2008–2019)
Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge series consists of two complete novels published over more than a decade, with the first book arriving in 2008 and its sequel in 2019. These interconnected literary fiction works should be read in publication order, beginning with Olive Kitteridge followed by Olive, Again. The series combines elements of mystery and thriller with character-driven storytelling centered on its titular protagonist as she navigates life's complexities across different periods.
Start with Olive Kitteridge and read in order.
Start this series with Olive Kitteridge
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleStandalone Novels Series
Ongoing4 books (1998–2026)
Elizabeth Strout's standalone novels span from 1998 to 2026, with four books published across this period that can be read in publication order. The series consists of Amy and Isabelle, Abide with Me, The Burgess Boys, and The Things We Never Say, with the series remaining ongoing. Each novel stands independently, allowing readers to begin with any entry, though publication order provides a chronological view of the author's literary evolution across mystery, thriller, and literary fiction genres.
Start with Amy and Isabelle, the first of 4 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with Amy and Isabelle
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleFrequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Elizabeth Strout written?
- Elizabeth Strout has written 137 books across 5 series. Their published works span from 1998 to 2026.
- What is the first book in each Elizabeth Strout series?
- Here are the first books in Elizabeth Strout's series: Akashic Noir: San Francisco Noir; Amgash: My Name Is Lucy Barton; Anthologies: Ploughshares at Emerson College Vol. 36, No. 1, Spr. 2010; Olive Kitteridge: Olive Kitteridge.
- What order should I read Elizabeth Strout's books?
- We recommend reading Elizabeth Strout's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Elizabeth Strout still writing new books?
- Yes, Elizabeth Strout has 3 ongoing series: Akashic Noir, Amgash, Standalone Novels.

